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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Past and Present Art at Gaithersburg Library

The Muktesvara Arch at the former Gaithersburg Library

Do you
remember the beautiful white arch in front of the former Gaithersburg Library building?
Designed by artist Mary Ann Unger, theMuktesvara Arch, also known as
Gateway to the Mind, was installed in 1988 and remained in front of Gaithersburg Library until the library closed for renovations in May 2010.The arch, constructed of painted aluminum and
concrete, represented a pathway to knowledge and enlightenment for all visitors
to the library, with its books and resources for all.

Where's the arch now? It's in the process of being relocated to the Germantown
campus of MontgomeryCollege and will be
conserved and re-installed there in the near future.

Leaf mobile above the children's area at renovated Gaithersburg Library

Another view of the leaf mobile at Gaithersburg Library

Have you
seen the leaf mobile hanging above the information desk and children’s area of
the newly renovated Gaithersburg Library? The mobile, designed by architect
Steve Gerrard of Ann Beha Architects and installed by Acorn Sign Graphics, consists of thin perforated aluminum leaf shapes that dangle and fall in a random
pattern from stainless steel wire. As you can see in the photos above, the autumnal hues add warmth
and dimension to the open main hall of the library as light filters through the leaves.

The leaves of the mobile symbolize “leaves” of a paper
bound book as well as paying homage to the representative logo of the City of Gaithersburg – the Forest Oak tree!